Getting Familiar With Gambling Laws and Regulations in Kenya
The 1966 Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act made Kenya one of the first African countries to legalize all types of betting and casino games. Since that time, however, gambling only really took off recently.
With a population of 45 million, Kenya also boasts one of the most advanced economies in Africa. Even with a thriving economy, Kenya remains poor and nearly 20 percent of residents survive on less than $2 per day.
The existing gambling law prohibits underage gambling (individuals younger than 18) but you can buy a lottery ticket if you are at least 16 years old. However, the Kenyan government recently announced plans to enact new laws that would provide more protection for their citizens, especially younger people.
What This Means for Online Gambling
Online Bet service providers such as Bet 254 Kenya are still going to be legal. There is no government law blocking betting sites. The government even recently started to issue licenses to online betting sites. So, it is completely legal to do business with these online gambling sites in Kenya. There are so many of them online that you may find it hard to choose but Bet 254 Kenya ranks high among online users.
Change of Regulators
The new law will also see the Betting and Licensing Control Board replaced with the new regulatory authority, the National Gaming Authority. The Gaming Appeals Tribunal will be established for adjudicating gambling-related disputes.
Establishment of the Lottery System
Besides, the new regulatory framework also targets the creation of the national lottery program, the first-string lottery system in Kenya. Bidders willing to obtain the license to operate the lottery system will require a thorough tender process. In the end, the Kenyan National Lottery Trust Fund through its Lottery agency will issue a seven-year operating license for licensed operators. Meanwhile, winners will only be entitled to 45% of their revenue from the lottery.
Ban on Social Media Ads
Part of the government’s plan is a ban on social media advertisements for betting firms, and also a ban on outdoor adverts of gambling between 6 am and 10 pm. Celebrities will also be prohibited from endorsing gambling activities or services. This means that celebrities like McDonald Mariga and Dennis Oliech can no longer be involved in betting advertisements.
New Gambling Tax Regime
The new Gambling Act of 2020 will not make gambling illegal. The only changes will be a new 35 percent tax on advertisements, and a rise in the cost of the gambling license for online gambling to one hundred million shillings (approx. 900 EUR) and fifty million for land-based casinos.
Online Gambling
In the same light, the law aims at keeping online gambling legal but regulated. Since the government began to issue licenses to online gambling operators, the number of online betting bookies has spiraled up, offering players a range of options to stake. However, operators are not allowed to offer slot machines to players.
